Dubs set up semi-final against Donegal

Sun, 10th August 2014

DUBLIN 2-22 MONAGHAN 0-11

Dublin cruised into an All-Ireland SFC semi-final after powering past Monaghan in Saturday night's quarter-final at Croke Park.

Two goals in quick succession in the opening half paved the way for Dublin's facile victory.

The opening exchanges had been well balanced, 0-3 each, before Diarmuid Connolly's brilliantly taken 25th minute goal was the catalyst for Dublin to quickly assume control of the game.

Three minutes later Bernard Brogan, following terrific approach play by the influential James McCarthy, fired past Rory Beggan as Jim Gavin's men moved 2-8 to 0-5 clear by half-time.

Dublin continued to tack on the scores when playing some terrific combination football with Alan Brogan adding two superb points to his individual tally as Monaghan struggled to stem the blue wave.

Monaghan's attacking game was based primarily around Conor McManus but his threat was well curtailed by Rory O'Carroll and a Dublin defence who held the upperhand throughout.

Dublin were never in any danger in the second period but will be still reflect on the number of clear-cut goal chances spurned in the second half as they turn their focus on the last-four duel with Donegal in Croke Park on Sunday, August 31.

SCORERS - Dublin: B Brogan 1-7 (0-6f), D Connolly 1-2 (0-1f), A Brogan 0-3, E O'Gara, D Rock, P Flynn 0-2 each, J Cooper, K McManamon, S Cluxton (0-1 '45'), C Costello 0-1 each. Monaghan: C McManus 0-6 (0-4f), K Hughes (0-2f), D Clerkin 0-2 each, R Beggan(0-1 '45') 0-1 each.

DUBLIN: S Cluxton; M Fitzsimons, R O'Carroll, P McMahon; J McCarthy, J Cooper, N Devereux; MD Macauley, C O'Sullivan; P Flynn, K McManamon, D Connolly; A Brogan, E O'Gara, B Brogan. Subs: C Costello for McManamon (44), D Rock for O'Sullivan (48), J McCaffrey for Cooper (52), P Andrews for O'Gara (54), D Daly for McMahon (58), P Mannion for A Brogan (65).

MONAGHAN: R Beggan; R Wylie, D Wylie, C Walshe; D Mone, V Corey, F Kelly; D Clerkin, D Hughes; K Duffy, S Gollogly, K Hughes; P Donaghy, C McGuinness, C McManus. Subs: P Finlay for Donaghy (ht), J McCarron for McGuinness (42), G Doogan for Gollogly (50), C Boyle for Kieran Duffy (60), P Duffy for Clerkin (60), C Galligan for Kelly (67).

REF: M Duffy (Sligo).

ATTENDANCE: 72,440.